VALLEY WEEKEND : Get a Whiff of These Last-Minute Presents : Duty Free in Sherman Oaks offers big savings on expensive perfumes.

OK, all you last-minute shoppers, here is the perfect answer for quick, easy giftshopping that almost always pleases.

I say almost because if you don’t have a clue as to the recipient’s taste in fragrances, you’ll simply have to go on what you like.

But here’s a basic formula for men to follow: If she’s sporty, try a fruity, fresh fragrance; if she’s a romantic, usually a floral is her preference. The very sensual woman often likes spicy aromas, and those who are totally outrageous will probably like the new chocolate scents, such as Angel or Tocade.

Whatever your choice, you’ll find the price is considerably lower at Duty Free. There are no glittery decorations or elegant fragrance models wafting around to spray you with samples, just big savings on expensive perfumes.

The very hot L’Eau d’Issey from Issey Miyake is a big seller this holiday season, but you can save $30 on the 5-ounce Eau de Toilette (edt) spray; instead of the $85 that it sells for at most fragrance counters, Duty Free’s price is $55. Boucheron is a favorite of many a tasteful woman, and well it should be at $110 for a 3.4-ounce edt spray. But isn’t it more tasteful still at only $79?

At most discounters, Chanel perfumes are reduced by a mere 10%. Both the No. 5 and No. 19, however, are discounted 30% at Duty Free, but as of this writing the stock on these was low.

Duty Free is a family-owned and -operated business, and during this busy shopping season you’ll find the entire family of Tony Dolbakian manning the store. This, of course, helps keep the prices down as does their focus on selling in volume. With this kind of savings for the consumer, it’s easy to see why shoppers buy in volume.

Janet Dolbakian claims that their biggest seller for women this year is Givenchy’s Ysatis. A 3.4-ounce edt spray is $45 instead of $65 retail. Opium is also a consistently good seller, and the quarter-ounce of pure perfume that usually goes for $85 is $65.

Duty Free offers a good deal for both men and women on Bijan, who makes a 2.5-ounce edt spray that regularly sells for $58. The discount price is $39.99. The favorite this year in men’s fragrances at Duty Free is the Gianfranco Ferre at $29 (retail $58). There’s a great price on the Karl Lagerfeld edt for men. If you’ve shopped this one, you know that retail is $65 for a 4.2-ounce edt, so Duty Free’s price of $32 should impress you.

On the Must de Cartier perfume, the discount is dazzling. The 1.6-ounce size that sells at one major boutique chain for $160 is $79 here. Now that’s a bargain! Duty Free, 15053 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 906-1234.

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WEEKEND SUPER SALE: Drop whatever else you’re doing and head for a manufacturer’s warehouse sale staged by designer Irving Mitzman (formerly designer for Diane Freis, Assorti and Tres Jolie). Today and Friday a large selection of dresses, pant suits and jumpsuits that have been selling at better specialty and department stores for $198 to $298 are being offered at $39. That is not a misprint . . . $39 for first-quality overruns on TJLA, Mosaic, Assorti and other labels in sizes XS to XL. Cash or check only. Tres Jolie 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 719 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 928. (213) 688-8891.